Public Safety Director's Spotlight - Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives

Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives

I want to begin this week's Spotlight by encouraging everyone who hasn't done so recently to check the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in their home to ensure that they are working properly. If you own rental property, please touch base with your tenants to ensure the alarms in their units have been tested. Smoke alarms (smoke detectors) are available through the St. Louis Fire Department for residential use only and for all owner-occupied homes in the City of St. Louis. Contact Captain Mike Killingsworth at (314) 289-1905 or email him at KillingsworthW@stlouis-mo.gov to request a free smoke detector.

Upcoming Events

March 22 -- Soul Food Friday Fish Fry, St. Alphonsus Liguori "Rock" Church, 11 a.m.

The Fish Fry Committee at St. Alphonsus Liguori "Rock" Church is inviting everyone to stop by the Soul Food Friday Fish Fry this Friday. The church's annual Lenten Fish Fry has been held every Friday in Lent from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., but the Fry on March 22 will include greens and other items that may be purchased as additional sides to the Buffalo, Catfish Fillet, Jack Fillet and Tilapia dinners. Also the drawing for raffle ticket prizes will take place on the 22nd. The Church is located at 1118 N. Grand Blvd. in the Covenant Blu / Grand Center neighborhood. Questions? Call (314) 533-0304.

March 22 -- Urban Wanderers Exhibit Opening Night, St. Louis University Museum of Art, 5:30 p.m.

Stray Rescue St. Louis announced that the Opening Night reception for the Urban Wanderers Exhibit will be this Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the St. Louis University Museum of Art at 3663 Lindell Boulevard in Grand Center. Guests will see this year's beautiful and unique works of art inspired by (and some done by) Stray Rescue dogs and cats as well as be able to enjoy tasty treats and beverages from local restaurants. The free event will be family friendly and a great way to spend a Friday night. For more details, visit the strayrescue.org web site.

March 22 -- 2013 Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con, America's Center, 3 p.m.

Hundreds of celebrities and industry professionals will be at America's Center in Downtown St. Louis the weekend of March 22 - 24 for the inaugural 2013 Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con, part of North America's largest pop-culture touring expo. Visitors will celebrate the best in movies, comics, toys, video, art, gaming and more. Ticket prices start at $35; kids 10 and under will get in free with a paid adult admission. The expo will run from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday and will open at 10 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. For more information, call (314) 421-1023 or visit the wizardworld.com web site.

March 22 -- Art After 5, St. Louis Art Museum, 7 p.m.

The next installment in the Art After 5 Series at the St. Louis Art Museum in beautiful Forest Park will be this Friday from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and it will celebrate women's musical traditions. Free tickets (limit 4 per person) for performances are available beginning the first of each month for the current month's performance. All Art After 5 performances take place in Grigg Gallery. For all the particulars, visit the slam.org web site.

March 23 -- Dutchtown Entrepreneur & Business Showcase, Urban Eats Cafe, 9 a.m.

The Downtown Dutchtown Business Association (DT2) will hold its inaugural Dutchtown Entrepreneur & Business Showcase at 9 a.m. on Saturday at Urban Eats Cafe, located at 3301 Meramec Street. The event will promote business opportunities in the Dutchtown neighborhood, specifically highlighting business startup and growth opportunities, defining the support businesses will receive in the neighborhood, and outlining the short and long-term goals for neighborhood improvement. The showcase will provide a wealth of resources for anyone interested in starting, expanding, or relocating a business to one of the up-and-coming neighborhoods in St. Louis. The morning event will consist of a series of presentations, discussions, and workshops and will conclude with an informal reception. For more details, visit the DT2STL.org web site.

March 23 -- St. Louis Museum Stores Garage Sale, St. Louis Zoo/Living World, 9 a.m.

Attention bargain hunters! Shop for close-out, clearance and almost-one-of-a-kind items from St. Louis-area attraction gift shops this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the St. Louis Museum Stores Garage Sale at the St. Louis Zoo in the Living World/North Entrance. Great deals will be available to the public on a first-come, first-served basis, as long as merchandise lasts. Shoppers should arrive early for the best selection of souvenirs, clothing, artwork, books, toys, housewares and more. Some of the participating gift shops include Cahokia Mounds, Campbell House Museum, Endangered Wolf Center, Eugene Field House & St. Louis Toy Museum, Opera Theater St. Louis, Q Boutique at the World Chess Hall of Fame and Saint Louis Art Museum. For more details, call (314) 781-0900 or visit the stlzoo.org web site.

March 23 -- Baconfest St. Louis, Kiener Plaza, 11 a.m.

Lumiere Place and River City Casino have gone hog wild to to ensure that Baconfest St. Louis this Saturday at Kiener Plaza, located at 7th and Market in Downtown St. Louis, will be a fun event for the entire family. Bacon lovers will be able to enjoy bacon-inspired dishes, live music, bacon merchandise and bacon art as well as see the world's largest 50-foot long, 500-pound Hog Log from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information, visit the baconfeststl.com web site.

March 23 -- Best Sausage Dinner in South St. Louis, St. Paul United Church of Christ, 4 p.m.

The members of St. Paul United Church of Christ, at 3510 Giles in the Tower Grove South neighborhood, are inviting everyone to attend the Best Sausage Dinner in South St. Louis this Saturday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the church. The menu will include sausage, sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, green beans, applesauce and more and will be served family style. The price will be $10 for adults, $5 for kids age 5 to 11 years and free for kids 5 years and under. To learn more, call (314) 772-4772.

March 23 -- Hunt for the Golden Egg, Ivory Perry Park, 10:30 a.m.

Middle Tree Church will be hosting the Hunt for the Golden Egg at Ivory Perry Park this Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. There will be two Easter Egg Hunts, one for ages 3-6 and one for ages 7-12. Visitors also will be able to enjoy a petting zoo, raffle, face painting, games, arts and crafts and more. For a lot of fun, including a hop by from the Easter Bunny, plan to attend this free event with your family and friends. The Park is located at 800 Belt Avenue in the West End neighborhood.

March 23 -- Third Annual "Night at the Museum," Gateway Arch, 6 p.m.

Kids of all ages and their families are invited to attend the Night at the Museum event at the Gateway Arch in Downtown St. Louis this Saturday. Guests will meet characters from the past and hear tales of the American West, experience interactive programs in the museum, ride to the top of the Arch, and enjoy a hot dog dinner. The price will be $15 per person. To reserve your spot and for more information, call (877) 982-1410.

Save the Date

March 30 – Community Easter Egg Hunt, Tower Grove Baptist Church, 10 a.m.

March 30 – Easter Egg Hunt, Soulard Farmer's Market -- Plaza Area, 1 p.m.

March 31 – Easter Brunch Cruise, St. Louis Riverfront, 1 p.m.

Promoting Your Neighborhood Activities

Is there a neighborhood event on the schedule that you would like noted in the Spotlight? If so, you may email the information about it to me at deekenc@stlouis-mo.gov or to Cathy Smentkowski at smentkowskic@stlouis-mo.gov for consideration. You may also post it on the City's Calendar of Events on the City's web site: http://stlouis-mo.gov. The link to submit an event is on the home page. The listing is free. I encourage you to take advantage of this free way to promote your event.

Earth Hour 2013

The inaugural Earth Hour began in one city -- Sydney, Australia – in 2007, and by 2012 the global environmental initiative involved hundreds of millions of people in 152 countries across every continent. Everyone is invited to participate in Earth Hour 2013 which will take place this Saturday, March 23, from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. local time. Individuals, businesses, government and communities will turn out their lights for this one hour to show their support for environmentally sustainable action. To learn more about Mayor Slay's Sustainability Action Agenda, visit the City's web site at stlouis-mo.gov.

Charlene Deeken
Director of Public Safety
City of St. Louis